Thread trapping means



April 26, 1955 I w. R. KEEN 2,706,833

THREAD TRAPPING MEANS Filed June 28, 1951 A-22 INVENTOR:

Wz'llz'allzfiallwifem,

A TTORNEYS.

2,706,883 THREAD TRAPPING MEANS Application June 28, 1951, Serial No. 233,964

2 Claims. (Cl. 5787) The present invention relates to thread trapping means useful in connection with twisting machines or other machines employed in the textile industry wherein provision must be made for possible breaks in one or more threads.

More particularly, it is concerned with thread trapping means wherein a pivoted finger component, normally restrained by contact of its distal end with a running thread, has a counterweight adjacent its fulcrum with a lateral projection between which and a fixed slotted component the thread normally passes freely en route from a supply source to the feed rolls. Upon rupture of the thread and release of the finger to the influence of the counterweight, the projection on the latter displaces the thread out of a straight line while under tension at a point in advance of the feed rolls.

My invention has for its chief aim to provide thread trapping means which will bring about substantial displacement of the thread from a straight line and at the same time provide a sure and positive holding action on the thread. This objective is realized, as hereinafter more fully set forth, through provision on the lateral projection of the counterweight of the finger component of a closely-wound outwardly bowed coil of spring wire or the like so dimensioned as to pass freely through said slot. By virtue of the outwardly bowed form slight openings are formed between adjacent convolutions of the spring wire coil, which, upon release of the finger incident to thread rupture, is forced into the slot of the fixed component, to depress the threads and cause them to be wedged and positively held between adjacent convolutions or turns of said coil.

Other objects and attendant advantages will appear from the following detailed description of the attached drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view, in transverse section of a twisting machine with thread trapping means embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view corresponding to Fig. 1 drawn to a larger scale with the trapping means shown in thread trapping position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in elevation looking as indicated by the angled arrows IIIIII in Fig. 2.

Figs. 4 and 5 are detail sectional views taken as indicated respectively by the angled arrows IVIV and VV in Figs. 2 and 3.

The twisting machine illustrated in Fig. 1 for convenience of exemplifying one use of my invention, is generally of well known construction in that it comprises a frame 1 whereon are mounted spaced brackets, such as the one designated 2, in which superposed driven feed rolls 3 and 4 are journalled. The brackets 2 have rearward extensions 5 between which a rod 6 extends for attachment of a guide eye 7 for the threads T to be twisted. En route from separate sources of supply (not shown) the threads T are directed through the eye 7 to pass substantially horizontally to the roll 3, thence over the latter and under the roll 4. From the roll 4, the threads continue on through another guide eye 8 whereby they are directed to a traveller 9 which gyrates about a ring 10 on a vertically reciprocated traverse 11, the thread being thereby twisted and the resulting yarn incidentally wound upon a rotating bobbin 12 in a manner well known in the art.

The thread trapping means with which the present invention is more especially concerned is comprehensively designated 15 and, as shown, includes an arm 16 which is adjustably set upon another horizontal rod 17 supported between the brackets 2, and which is securable in adjusted positions by a set screw 18. The trapping means further includes a movable component in the form of a finger 19 which is fulcrumed for free pivotal movement at the end of arm 16. Component 19 is counter- States Patent 0 lQC weighted as at 20, with the result that a tip 21 of porcelain or the like at the distal end thereof is caused to bear normally upon the threads T in the interval between the rolls 3 and 4 and the guide eye 8. With its ends anchored in a lateral projection 22 on the counterweight portion 20 of component 19, is a downwardly-bowed closelywound elongate coil segment 23 which may be of spring wire or other suitable stitf strand material, and which is capable of entering, with clearance all around it, into the straight elongate slot 25 of the laterally-projecting portion 26 of a fixed wing-like component 27 as shown in Figs. 1 and 4 the coil segment 23 is outwardly bowed in the direction of movement of the lateral projection 22 on which it is mounted. The upright portion of component 27 is provided with a slot 28 which is curved concentrically relative to the pivot axis of finger 19 to clear the coil carrying projection 22. As best shown in Fig. 4, the component 27 clamped between the outer end of a sleeve 29, which provides the fulcrum axis for the finger 19, and the head of a screw 30 whereof the shank passes through said sleeve and also through a boss at the end of arm 16. The component 27 is secured against displacement in adjusted positions by tightening the nut 31 on the rear protruding end of the shank of screw 30. It is to be noted that sleeve 29 is made sufiiciently long so as to allow free movement of finger 19.

Operation With the finger 19 normally sustained as in Fig. 1, the coil 23 is held well above the projection 26 of stationary component 27 so that the threads T can pass freely between these parts. in the event of rupture of one or both threads in the interval between the guide eye 8 and the bobbin 12 with attendant release of finger 19, the latter will drop, i. e. be moved counterclockwise about its fulcrum under the influence of counterweight 20. As a consequence, the coil 23 will enter the slot 25 in projection 26 of fixed component 27 and depress the threads as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. As an incident to this action, the threads T will be caught between adjacent convolutions of coil 23. Due to outward bowing of coil 23 and consequent fanning out of its convolutions, the threads T become effectively wedged and securely held in the intervals between adjacent convolutions. By continued pull of rolls 3, 4 thereafter, the threads will be ruptured at a point intermediate the latter and the trapping device. The isolated segment of threads resulting from the double rupture will be discharged subsequently by the action of said rolls.

The form of my improved stop motion herein shown for convenience of illustration is to be regarded as exemplary only, since others are possible within the scope of the broader of the appended claims as will be readily understood by those familiar with such devices.

I hereby claim:

1. A thread trapping means for use in connection with a spinning machine or the like having a pair of cooperative feed rolls, and a stationary guide through which the thread passes before entering the nip of the feed rolls en route to a take-up, said trapping means being positioned medially of an interval between the feed rolls and the guide and including a fixed element with a slot therein; and a relatively movable counterweighted element carrying an inwardly bowed coil segment of closelywound wire and provided with a finger which normally bears upon the thread in an interval between the rolls and the take-up whereby, upon rupture of the thread in the latter interval, said movable element is actuated with attendant displacement of the thread into the slot of the fixed element by the coil and clamping of the thread between adjacent eonvolutions of said coil.

2. A thread trapping means according to claim 1, wherein the movable element is pivotally supported.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 349,487 Fearon Sept. 21, 1886 762,023 Brown June 7, 1904 1,783,897 Aveyard Dec. 2, 1930 1,786,671 Morrell Dec. 30, 1930 

